Whether you are a visa applicant or plan on applying sometime in the future, it’s important to stay on top of changes that could affect your eligibility. One of the most recent updates made to the system involves the list of approved skills for visa applicants.
2017 Skilled Occupation List Changes
Before this year, visa applicants would turn to the Skilled Occupation List or the Consolidated Sponsored Occupation List to determine their eligibility for permanent and temporary visa programs. As of 19 April 2017, things have changed. The old lists were recently replaced with the Medium and Long-Term Strategic Skills List (MLTSSL) and the Short-Term Skilled Occupation List (STSOL).
The MLTSSL is used when applying for subclass 189 (Skilled Independent), subclass 489 (Skilled Regional – Provisional), and subclass 485 (Temporary Graduate) visas. The STSOL covers subclasses 186 (Employer Nominated), 190 (Skilled Nominated), 489 (Skilled Regional – Provisional), 457 (Temporary Work – Skilled), and 407 (Training) visas. Changes have been made to the application requirements for these visas, so it is important that you are also aware of these before applying.
Occupations Removed This Year
Some removals and restrictions were applied with the 2017 update. 16 occupations included on the MLTSSL were restricted to 189 (Skilled – Independent), 485 (Temporary Graduate), and 489 (Skilled – Regional) visas only. Other occupations were removed completely, including:
- Actor
- Aeroplane pilot
- Air traffic controller
- Artistic director
- Author
- Bed and breakfast operator
- Biochemist
- Business broker
- Butcher
- Blacksmith
- Clothing patternmaker
- Composer
- Deer farmer
- Dental hygienist
- Golfer
- Gunsmith
- Legal executive
- Microbiologist
- Multimedia designer
- Radio journalist
- Singer
- Translator
- Web developer
- Wholesaler
- Zookeeper
Many other jobs were also deleted. To learn more about whether or not your profession is still eligible, you can view the full list of eligible occupations on the Department of Immigration and Border Protection website, or contact your migration agent. Find out as soon as possible so you can make plans in case the change impacts your ability to come to Australia.
What Do I Do If My Occupation Was Removed from the Visa List?
What do you do if you find out that your occupation was removed from the list, but you still want to enter the country? Figuring out what to do next can be difficult. There are many other visa options, and one may offer the answer you need. The challenging part is figuring out which one fits your situation and how to begin the application process, so you have the best chance at success.
Make sure you have everything covered by contacting Emergico. Our team of registered migration agents is committed to helping you enter Australia legally without the stress of doing it yourself. Contact us today to learn more about your visa eligibility or take our free online assessment which is available at the top of the page.
